Learn More About Treatment for PTSD at Valley Behavioral Health

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that is triggered by a terrifying event. The symptoms an individual experiences may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. While not everyone who lives through a traumatic event will develop this disorder, PTSD can affect people of all ages and ethnicities. Post-traumatic stress disorder develops differently in each person who experiences it. Some individuals may notice symptoms in the days and weeks following the event while others do not develop symptoms for weeks, months, or even years after the event.

Valley Behavioral Health System in Fort Smith, Arkansas has years of experience helping individuals who are struggling with a number of different mental disorders. Our welcoming center is located on 57 acres and is the only facility in the state of Arkansas that offers patients their own private rooms throughout the duration of their stay, all of which are separated based on the age of the patients being treated. We know how difficult it is to constantly be living with anxiety and fear about the world around you. However, you do not have to continue to live this way. The wonderful staff at our behavioral health center can help you overcome your PTSD and once again see the world as a beautiful place.

Helping a Loved One

Helping a Loved One or Family Member Get Treatment for PTSD

When someone you love is struggling with PTSD, it can affect you as well. Not only are the symptoms of PTSD difficult to live with, but seeing how they have changed your loved one can be extremely upsetting. On one hand you may be worried that things will not go back to the way they were before, while on the other hand you are angry about what is happening with your family. While you want to help your loved one you may be unsure of what, if anything, that you can do. Here are some tips to keep in mind for helping a loved one with PTSD:

Be patient- getting better takes time, even when the person is committed to rehab.

Educate yourself about PTSD: the more you know about the symptoms, effects, and rehab options the better equipped you will be to help you loved one.

Don’t pressure your loved one into talk: it can be hard for individuals with PTSD to talk about their experiences.

Take care of your physical and emotional health: you won’t be any good to your loved one if you become overworked and burnout.

Accept and expect mixed feelings: you are bound to experience a wide range of emotions, but remember that even if you have negative thoughts at times it doesn’t mean you don’t love your loved one.

As a family member you can play a vital role in the recovery process by spending time with your loved one and listening to them. However, while support is important it isn’t always enough and rehab is often needed. Talk to your loved one about getting treatment and encourage them that you will be there to support them throughout the entire process.

Post- traumatic stress disorder can be a debilitating disorder whose symptoms can greatly impact many areas of a person’s life. More specifically PTSD negatively affects an individual’s mental health, physical health, work, and relationships. If you have this disorder you may be constantly haunted by nightmares, startle easily, and try to avoid social situations. When you experience a trauma it creates a loss of faith that there is any safety, predictability, or meaning in the world. If left untreated the symptoms of PTSD can take on a life of their own and the associate effects will continue to haunt the survivor and prevent normal life from continuing until help is received. The good thing is that with proper support and treatment individuals with PTSD can get their life back.

Inpatient treatment programs have proven to be extremely successful in helping to treat individuals who are struggling with the painful symptoms of PTSD. When you enter an inpatient rehab program you will placing yourself in a comforting environment where you will be able to slowly restore your sense of safety. Therapy sessions offered in inpatient programs will allow individuals to tell their story, begin to feel less isolated, and begin to make sense of what happened. Additionally, by understanding themselves they can ultimately restore relationships and connections in their lives.

Philosophy & Benefits

Our Treatment Program’s Philosophy and Benefits

At our mental health rehab center, we pride ourselves on always putting the patient first. We make it our goal to be held accountable for meeting the needs of every patient who walks through our doors. We hard to ensure that you are provided with excellent, life-changing treatment that is centered on you. Additionally, we promote personal growth and self-awareness in order to help our clients experience true wellness. All of our patients are treated by a multidisciplinary team consisting of therapists, social workers, psychiatric nurses and nurse practitioners, recreational specialists, educational specialists, and other qualified mental health professionals who all work under the direct supervision of board-certified psychiatrists. Our staff is dedicated to providing you with the best possible care available.

Types of Treatment

Types of Treatment for PTSD Offered at Valley Behavioral Health System

When you arrive at our behavioral health rehab center you will start the admissions process by completing a comprehensive assessment with one of our intake specialists. All results will be reviewed by our psychiatrist who will make a recommendation for your appropriate level of care. Once the admissions process has been completed, an individualized treatment plan will be developed which will help guide you through your stay. We use a variety of therapeutic techniques which will all be tailored to meet the needs identified in your treatment plan. Examples of these various therapeutic techniques are:

Medication management: Sometimes individuals who are struggling with PTSD require medications to help relieve the existence of symptoms from depression of anxiety. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medication when it comes to treating this disorder. It is important to note that while these medications may relieve some of the symptoms, they do not treat the underlying causes of PTSD. At all times during the course of rehab, medication is closely monitored and will be altered if needed.

Individual therapy: Individual therapy sessions are held on a one-to-one basis where your will meet in a confidential setting with a therapist. Individual sessions are held once per week, and can be spent gradually exposing yourself to thoughts, feelings, and situations that remind you of the trauma. Additionally, time can be spent identifying upsetting thought and replacing them with more appropriate views of the world.

Group therapy: Group therapy sessions are held daily and cover a wide range of topics. During these sessions, patients meet together and work through current topics and concerns together. Rehabilitation groups are held twice a day on a daily basis and recreation groups are held at a minimum of three days per week.

Family therapy: At our mental health rehab center, we know how crucial family involvement is in order for rehab to be successful. Since a diagnosis of PTSD affects not only you, but your family as well family counseling can be extremely effective. During these sessions family member can learn more about what you are going through, while at the same time opening up lines of communicate. Family therapy sessions will occur at least once per week, however, additional sessions can occur based on the needs of the patient.

Experiential therapy: In an attempt to incorporate all aspects of a patient’s well-being into his or her rehab process, we provide a therapeutic recreation program that assesses, educates, and assists patients in striving to improve their physical lifestyle. Some of the individual activities involved in this program include:

Arts and crafts

Sports

Games

Relaxation activities.

Levels of Treatment

Continuing Care and Levels of Treatment for PTSD & Trauma

The discharge process begins at the time you are admitted into the inpatient program. This helps to ensure that, once you are discharged, a plan for continuing care is already in place. Our care coordinators will work with you in scheduling follow-up appointments based on the recommendations of the treatment team that worked with you during your stay.

After the inpatient program is completed some patients choose to enter into a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or an intensive outpatient program (IOP) which will allow them to still receive therapy in a structured environment while slowly integrating back into family and school life. At our behavioral health rehab center, we offer both an IOP and PHP for those ages 18 and older. Others may be ready to be discharged home and can continue to reach traditional outpatient therapy at our outpatient clinic. Our care coordinators will do everything they can to make the transition to your next phase of treatment as smooth as possible.